Everton: BBC journalist shares Dominic Calvert-Lewin appeal update in the last hour after FA Cup controversy
Everton are considering appealing the red card received by Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Crystal Palace on Thursday (4 January), according to Shamoon Hafez.
The BBC Sport journalist tweeted on Friday (5 January) that the 26-year-old now faces a three-game ban after receiving the first red card of his career in the FA Cup clash.
Referee Chris Kavanagh decided to send the England international off on 79 minutes in the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park after being encouraged to go to the monitor by Craig Pawson on VAR following the forward’s challenge on Eagles defender Nathaniel Clyne.
Have to appeal
This is a decision that Everton simply have to appeal because there is absolutely no way that the challenge was deserving of a red card.
While there was slight contact made with the defender’s leg, it wasn’t reckless and out of control, and it almost certainly wasn’t a “clear and obvious” error by Kavanagh to not send him off originally.
The referee, who was just yards away from the incident in real-time, deemed it to not even be foul, showing just how poor it was that the incident eventually led to a red card.
The Toffees simply can’t afford to be without their main forward going into the next three games as they sit just one point above third-bottom Luton Town in the Premier League.
Whether or not the decision will be overturned if the Blues do decide to appeal it is anyone’s guess, but you would like to think common sense will prevail.
In other Everton news, Paul Brown has mooted a new contract for an exit-linked Toffees player.